Chick box structure



April 1942- N. F. SCHAEFER 2,280,544

CHICK BOX STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 15, 1938 A ORNEY-S.

Patented Apr. 21, 1942 cnrcx ox smoc'ruas Norbert'F. Schaefer,Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Anderson Box Company, Indianapolis, hit,

a corporation Application December 15, 1938, Serial No. 245,863 5Claims. ((31. 229-6) This invention relates to a chick box structurewhich in the preferred form is capable of stack-. ing' in so-calledventilated relation.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a chick box whereincorner smothering and toe pinching of the chicks is prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide suitable means whichherein project through the cover of such a box and which are formedintegral with the box bottom structure and the partitions whereby thesame serve spacing means for maintaining a superposed'box in spacedrelation so that the lower and supporting box may be cover ventilated,as that term is commonly employed in this art.

For the purpose of clearness, there is omitted from this disclosure thevarious ventilating apertures and their. method of fabrication, etcetera, in and from said cover and the various side and end walls ofsuch a container, this being old and well known in the chick box art.

One embodiment of the invention utilizes the corner biasing structure asa box spacing'element. This corner biasing structure not only eliminatesthe corner arrangement and keeps the seatable therein which serves as astabilizing element for said partition and as a locating arrangement andwhich is of a length sufficient to project slightly beyond the wall inwhich it is seated, and which constitutes a portion for frictionallyengaging the inside face of the cover rim when .mounted thereon forfrictionally retaining the cover thereon. A portion of such partitionmay also be directed laterally of the major portion at the end and thuslie parallel to the adjacent wall and be suitably secured thereto. Whenall of the aforesaid partition and corner structural arrangements areembodied, it will be observed support and furthermore serves as anadditional lock between adjacent end and side walls in addition to theconventional connections.

The toe pinching feature is incorporated in the partition. Itessentially consists of making the lower edge of the partition, where itengages the body of the box bottom, of such conformation that when thecover is placed on the box bottom, 1:

the lower edge of the partition is forcibly engaged throughout itslength with the top surface, of the body of the box sothat there is nogap between the two in which the chicks can accidentally position theirtoes therebetween.

A further feature of the invention consists in providing upwardlydirected projections upon the partitions which extend throughcorrespondingly positioned slots in the box cover and the upper edges ofwhich projections serve as spacers for' a superposed box and furtherproviding in said exposed projections a notch adapted to serve as alocater for a tying member such as a string, or the like, if, as andwhen used, and which when used, additionally serves to force the loweredge of the partition into body top surface engagev ment for preventingchick toe pinching.

Another feature of the'invention consists-in slotting each of the wallsat their upper edge so that each partition may have a lateral projectiona that the side and end walls of the box are trussed against lateralmovement relative to the plane of the said wall. and are tied to preventlateral movement away from the opposite wall and furthermore said cornerarrangements serve as corner trussings and reenforcements for theadjacent walls at each corner of the box.

A further feature of the invention consists in the construction readilylending itself to the formation and use of partition of dual thicknessand the two thicknesses being preferably formed from a single sheet,said thicknesses being connected together at the top of the coverprojecting portions of the partitionso as to form a smooth upper surfaceto be engaged by the superposed box or to be engaged by the thumbs ofthe two hands when the fingers of said hands engage the lower edge ofthe cover rim for elevating the cover relative to said projections toreadily release the same therefrom in cover removal.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fullyhereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawing and the following description and claims.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a covered chick boxembodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the cover looking down upon the same.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the box bottom looking into the same.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a portion of one of the partitionstructures embodying one form of;

the invention.

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken from the opposite sidethereof, thepartition specifically illustrated In the drawing l indicates the top ofa cover' having downwardly directed flange portions Ii at each edgeforming a rim when connected together and s" :h connection may be in anysuitable manner such as by end flaps I2 of certain rim portions securedas at l3. The cover in cludes two pairs of spaced slots transverselyarranged, one pair being indicated by the numeral l4 and the other pairby the numeral 15. These slots extend from the center of the top towardthe edge and are perpendicular thereto.

Adjacent each corner of the top In is a biased arranged slot IS. Thelength and widths of these slots and the length of all of the aforesaidslots are adequate for the purposes hereinafter described and areadapted to slidably receive certain projecting portions which projecttherethrpugh and terminate in a common plane above the plane of the topH! of said cover when mounted on the box bottom. Such projectingportions serve as spacing means for spacing a superposed box from thecover provided box therebeneath and permit ventilation of the interiorof the lower supporting box through cover apertures, not shown herein.

Reference now will be had to Figs. 1 and 3. In the latter figure thenumeral l1 indicates a body portion, I8 a pair of end walls integraltherewith and extending upwardly at right angles thereto. The numeral l9indicates similarly formed and positioned side walls. Herein the endwalls include extensions which are positioned at right angles to thesupporting end wall and parallel and herein interiorly positionedrelative to the adjacent side walls. The portions 20 and the side wallare suitably secured together as indicated at 2| in Fig. 1. This forms aconventional box body arrangement.

In the present invention, however, the portion 20 includes an extension22 which is integral with the portion 20 and is directed angularlythereto, to the side wall and to the end wall. The end wall is slottedas at 23 and projecting from the edge 24 of the portion 22 contactingthe inside of the end wall I8 is a tongue 25 which may be headed orT-shaped, as it were, to yieldingly lock portion 22 to the end wall whenthe projecting tongue is inserted in the slot 23. The resultantconstruction is a triangular reenforcement, as it were, at each cornerof the box and it prevents the chicks from crowding into said corner andin effect constitutes a rather rough approximation, as it were, of acircular interior type container.

Each portion 22 intermediate the ends and at its upper edge is providedwith an upwardly directed projection 26, the same providing an upperedge 21 and having inwardly tapering side edges 28 to facilitate pasagethrough the slot l6 of the cover when the cover is telescoped upon theside walls of the box body. All four corner cover exposed projectionsthus extend across the corners, as it were, and the slotting therefordoes not appreciably weaken the cover box itself because so closelypositioned relative to the corner of the cover. These four cornerprojections all have coplanar upper. edges 21.

As herein illustrated also, the projection 26 is not coextensive withthe width of the portion 22, thereby providing adjacent each side or endwall as the case may be, a ledge portion 29 which also serves as a coversupport in addition to the top edge of the portion 20.

Reference now will be had more especially to Figs, 3, 4 and 5 withsupplementary reference to Figs. 1 and 2. In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 there isillustrated a preferred form of partition arrangement which is ofnon-toepinching character and which furthermore has certain otherfeatures set forth initially herein. While this preferred form isillustrated as of dual layer character, it may be of single layercharacter without departing materially from the several features of theinvention except as will be obviously imposed when a dual layerconstruction, as hereinafter to be' described, is employed.

Herein each top edge of the side walls [9 is notched as at 30 and eachtop edge of the ends is similarly notchedas at- 3|. A pair of transversepartitions, indicated generally by the numerals 32 and 33, hereininclude medianly positioned slots, such as indicated at 34, as in Figs.4 and 5. It will be obvious that the slots in the two partitions 32 and33 are oppositely directed; in other words, if downwardly directed froman upper edge in partition 33--see Figs. 4 and 5- the slot correspondingto slot 34 and in partition 32 will be upwardly directed,-the twopartitions when associated together have an interfitting or intersectingconnection as is well understood in this art.

Each partition includes a portion extending upwardly and inpredetermined relation, the same being indicated by the numeral 35 forthe partition 33 and the numeral 36 for the partition 32. Two of theseextensions are provided on each partition and the same are receivable bythe slots l4 and 15, respectively of the cover structure. It is to beunderstood that the top edge 31 of the projections 35 and 36 arecoplanar and lie in the same plane with the top edges 21, previouslydescribed. There is thus provided four additional and main spacingsupports for the superposed box for lower box ventilation when the boxesare arranged in stacked relation.

When the partitions are of dual layer character, the layers are usuallyformed from the same blank and are connected together by the upperportion, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5, and by thenumeral 31. This provides a smooth top surface which, as previously setforth, is the surface customarily engaged by the two thumbs of the twohands at opposite sides of the box when the'cover is to be removed fromthe box.

This construction also has the advantage that it has considerablestrength and by reason of being tied together at the top edge hasgreater strength than is normally present in but two layers, each ofwhich is independent of each other, although positioned side by sidebecause in that case the two layers may tend to separate at their upperedges and each bend angularly of the other and for example, oppositely,although, of course, a dual layer construction of independent characterdoes provide greater strength than a partition of single layercharacter.

Whenever. boxes are to be shipped a considerable distance, it iscustomary to tie the same and for that purpose, the projections 35 areprovided with a slot 38 which serves as a locater for the box structureenveloping string or tying member 49.

The doubled over character partitions of dual layer constructionprevents the corrugations from being exposed in that part of thepartition that 33 are similar, differing only in dimensions and in theslots 38, previously described, the description relative to thepartition 33 will suffice for' an understanding of the construction andmounting of the partition 32. Partition 33-see Figs. 4 and 5-includesthe two portions 33a and 33b which lie sideby side and which areconnected together as at 31 through the projections 35. They are slottedas at 36. One or both, if desired, of the layers is provided with alaterally directed wing'and herein the wing of flap 39 is shown providedon the portion 33b. It is suitably secured by staples ltL-see Fig. 1-tothe end wall I8. It includes a projecting portion M which seats in theslot 3! in the end wall It and as shown inFig. 3, it projects upwardlybeyond the same for the purpose of having frictional contact with therim ii of the cover when the latter is seated on the box structure. Theother portion 33a of the partition 33 includes a correspondingprojecting portion 32 and it also is seatable in said notch 3i and alsoextends beyond the end wall for rim friction engagement.

As shown in Fig. 4, the edge 43 of this portion of the partition 33 isnot provided with a lateral wing such as indicated at 39 in Fig. 5. Ifdesired, however, it may be included and be secured similarly to the endwall when reversely positioned relative to the wing 39. The lower edgesof both portions 33a and 33?), as shown clearly in Fig. 4, are not fromend to end of the partition, a straight edge but may be formedotherwise, and herein the preferred formation is that of an arc andindicated by the numeral 44, and the radius of this are is veryconsiderable. It will be understood that, by way of example only, theperpendicular distance between the chord and the arc is about A" in apartition of from 24" to 36" in length.

The resultant construction, therefore,'is that when the chicks areplaced in the container and the cover is secured thereon. that anybowing of the bottom body II incident to the weight of the chicksthereon, is compensated for by the additional height of the midportionof the partition structure.

In Fig. 7 there is illustrated in perspective, a modified form of pinchpreventing means and the same likewise is illustrated as modified in thedual wall partition structure. In Fig. 7 numerals of the 100 series,similar to the primary numerals, indicate or designate parts similar oridenticalto parts indicated by the primary numerals. In this figure, thenumeral III indicates the bottom portion of the box body structure. Theside and end walls are omitted. The numeral I 32 indicates a dualpartition similar to the partition 32. It, as previously described, isprovided with .a slot I34 extending from its lower edge upwardly. Thepartition I33 is'transversely associated therewith and includes the slotI34 which extends downwardly from its upper edge.

Partition I33 between the intersecting slot and the wall anchored end,includes the upward projection I33 and these two projections I35 areunited as indicated at I31. Projection I35 is notched as at. I38.Extending in longitudinal alignment with and as a continuation of theupper edge of the partition I33, are the tongues I 42. Integral with theportion I33 and extending laterally thereof is an anchoring flap I39. Tocorrespond with the previousdisclosure-see Figs. 4 and 5the ply or layerI33a is shown terminating as at I63. This face or edge bears against theadjacent wall integral with the body I I7. I

The present form of the invention is of nonpinching character by reasonof the following: Extending outwardly and laterally and integraltherewith and hingedly connected thereby by the score line M411 is aflap M6. have mitred adjacent edges I l lb and they have square edges,preferably, Ifiitc. However, such edges maybe mitred or rounded asindicated by the dotted line and numeral Mfld.

The operation is as follows: When the trans verse partitions are mountedin the box bottom, the flap portions i663 bear on the upper surface ofthe top Ill. They are in frictional contact therewith. By reason of thecrease connection, it will be noted these portions IM tend to straightenout and assume coplanar alignment with their supporting portions,to-wit, the partition proper. Thus, the tendency of these portions is tobear downwardly on the top surface of the body Ill. The corners asindicated at Ittb are so mitreol that there is a slight angletherebetween. This is to insure that the two adjacent mitred faces donot engage and bind on each other but will follow the body H? as it bowsor sags incident to the weight carried by the container and ends couldhave corrugations crushed, if desired.

In explanation of the aforesaid, it is to be noted that if the containerwere positioned at all times upon a flat surface that there would be butlittle bowing or sagging of the bottom of the box body.v When, however,from 11 to 12 pounds of weight in live chicks is placed in the box andit is lifted from one position and placed upon another box or upon aplatform, the weight of the chicks intensifies the natural bowing orsagging oi the bottom of the box body. Then, while the box is in theprocess of being lifted, chicks get their toes beneath the partitionsdividing the box into four sections and when the a box is again placedupon a fiat surface or upon another box, the partition bottom edge (ifstraight or non-flanged) in the box again comes in contact with thebottom of the box body thereby causing toe pinching resulting in thedeath of many chicks.

In the invention claimed, however, the partitions are so arranged thateven though the bottom of the box body is forcibly deformed (in oneembodiment) from coplanar relation,.contact is maintained substantiallyat all times between the partitions and the bottom of the. box bodyindependent of the natural sagging or the sagging caused in the box bodyby the weight of the chicks. Thereby the chance for toe pinching isconsiderably lessened and practically eliminated.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detailin the drawing and foregoing description, th same is to be consid Theseflaps Mt cred as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

'I'he several modifications described herein as well as others whichwill readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all areconsidered to be within the broad scope of the invention, referencebeing had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a chick box, a body portion, side and end walls arranged in boxformation, the body portion having a tendency to sag centrally when thebox is loaded, partition means extending from one wall to an oppositewall, and chick toe pinch prevention formation on the lower portion ofthe partition means including an extension of said means having a lowerand body portion engaging edge conforming to the body portion sag forbowing the body portion to conform initially to the potential sagthereof.

2. In a chick box structure, the combination with a cover and a boxbottom, and intersecting partitions therein, of upwardly extendingspaced projections having coplanar upper surfaces and arranged in crossformation, and a box bottom corner spacer at each corner of the boxbottom for the purpose described and formed as an angular extension of awall thereof and having an upwardly extending corner biased projection,said corner projections having coplanar upper surfaces and coplanar withthe partition coplanar portions for non-rocking support of a superposedbox structure in spaced relation to the cover, said cover being biasslotted across each corner to seat upon the box bottom wall upper edgesand expose the several projecting portions.

3. A structure as defined by claim 2, characterized by the uppercoplanar surfaces having a length less than the length of slot includedportions of the projections for facilitating cover seating.

4. In a chick box structure, the combination with a cover and a boxbottom, of partition means therein having a plurality of spacedelongated portions projecting above the top edge of the bottom, a coverthereon and correspondingly slotted to expose the portions when seatedupon the box bottom, each projectin portion having a notch therein of adepth at least equal to that elevation corresponding to the said boxbottom top level, tie means about the bottom and cover and seated ineach notch, and a chick toe pinch preventing formation on the bottom ofsaid partition means and substantially coextensive therewith andengaging the bottom of the box bottom, said tie means in shipmentinsuring positive engagement of said pinch preventing formation withsaid box bottom.

5. A chick box as' defined by claim 2, characterized by the cover beingrimmed, the box bottom including side and end walls at their upper edgesincluding notches, and projecting portions upon the transversepartitions and seatable in said notches and projecting beyond the sideand end walls for cover rim frictional engagement. NORBERT F. SCHAEFER.

